There's no easy way to say this, so I'll just say it: I'm alive, and James is not. Four days into our backcountry trip, the cliff we were climbing collapsed, killing James and leaving me severely injured. I had no supplies and no way to get out of the backcountry, but I managed to get to water, where I waited for rescue for six days. I was found by a man and his friends who were also out on vacation, but by the time they found me I was delirious and very sick. They got me to a hospital and treated, but I had no identification and I was unconscious for a long time, so one of them brought me home to take care of me.

Dain lives totally off the grid, in an area of the mountains that's not even remotely accessible by cars. No electricity, no internet, no phone... you get the idea. Because of his responsibilities, he wasn't able to get me to a post office until now, so here is the letter I wish I could have sent you when I was first healthy enough to write.

I don't know what to even tell you of what my life has been like since the accident, so I'll just say this: I love Dain, and I don't want to leave him. Not having an instant method of communication leaves something to be desired, but I know we'll make it work. Weird jump from being a programmer to the stuff I do now, but Dain is well-respected in his community and they've welcomed me into their family. The life I have now is a good one.

We opened a P.O. box, so you'll be able to send letters to me, but please don't expect any rapid sort of response. I'll come visit as soon as I can, and bring Dain with me so you can meet the man who saved my life, and who is soon to be your son-in-law.

All my love, Leah

P.S. I've sent a letter to the O'Malleys, too, to let them know what happened to James. You don't have to be the ones to tell them.

I twisted my hands nervously in front of me as I stared at my parents' house, the cheerful garden still cheerful and with rows of giant sunflowers growing along the porch. It had been so long. How could I face them? How could I possibly apologize for vanishing off the face of the planet for more than a year, then sending them a letter? They probably thought I'd been kidnapped into a cult.

Dain's warm hands settled onto my shoulders, and he pressed a kiss to my hair. "Don't fret, beloved," he said in a gentle voice. "Haven't you said that they love you, and you love them? Surely they will welcome you with tears and relief, and nothing else."